Volume 1 Chapter 56 Lydia Doesn't Know Jealousy
Fetoru Forest is about a 30-minute walk from the square in the south district.
The crops in the fields are swaying before harvest, and the rice is hanging with golden ears.
In the clear water flowing through the irrigation channels, you can see the shadows of fish, and water striders are making ripples on the surface.
There are a few houses scattered around, and in the fenced areas, round sheep are fluffing their wool in the wind.
At the reception area in front of Fetoru Forest, Mr. Lucian and I received our participation certificates for the mushroom picking contest.
The certificate is made of thick paper shaped like a mushroom, with a string attached so you can wear it around your neck.
"There are a lot of participants, just like I thought. It seems the winner gets the ultimate clay pot for mushroom stew. I want it!"
"The ultimate clay pot?"
"Y-yes... They say it's made by the best clay pot maker in the holy city. I don't really understand, but it must be ultimate..."
I don't know much about clay pot makers.
The prize clay pot on display looks like a regular one, but now that I think about it, Lobelia Diner House doesn't have a clay pot, so I want it.
While waiting for the contest to start with the others who are wearing their certificates, I clenched my hands together to get pumped up.
"This is my first time doing something like this, but... I feel kind of nervous."
I looked up at Mr. Lucian and said.
Among everyone gathered, Mr. Lucian is the biggest and tallest, and his shiny blonde hair makes him stand out a lot.
He would be easy to find in the forest.
Not getting lost is a good thing, and being noticeable isn't so bad either.
Compared to Mr. Lucian, I'm pretty plain and small, so I have to be careful not to go too deep into the forest.
"I'm nervous too. But... I'm really happy to have my first experience with Lydia."
Mr. Lucian smiled gently and reached out to pat my head, so I pressed my hands down on my head and kept a distance from him.
It's not right for a man to touch a woman's body if they're not lovers or friends.
As expected, Mr. Lucian is known for making women pregnant just by getting close to them.
Honestly, I kind of understand what that means, but at the same time, I don't.
Either way, I know it's dangerous. He tries to touch me like it's no big deal.
"Mr. Lucian, you can't touch me... But, are you feeling a bit better?"
"Seeing cute Lydia's face makes me feel good. I think if I could pet or touch you, I'd feel even better."
Mr. Lucian looked at his outstretched hand and said it sadly.
"You don't need to pet or touch me since you're already used to touching various women..."
"Lydia, that's a misunderstanding. You seem really concerned about whether I have a girlfriend or not. Should I take that as jealousy?"
"Jealousy."
"Jealousy. It means being envious. You don't feel that way, do you, Lydia?"
"...I just think a little bit that maybe His Highness might not be so happy... like what if his belt suddenly broke during work and his pants fell down? That's the kind of feeling I mean."
"Well, that's just pure hatred, right? ...For example, if you saw me walking through town with a beautiful girl, what would Lydia think?"
"I'd think it's the usual Mr. Lucian..."
"I don't think I walk around with beautiful girls that often."
"You do."
Mx. Margaret, was talking about the natural flirt Mr. Lucian.
Mr. Lucian doesn't seem to be lying, but does that mean he doesn't care about all the women who have feelings for him?
When he helped me, Mr. Lucian said, "This woman is important to me, so don't touch her."
I can't shake the suspicion that he says that to all the women he helps.
It's quite sinful.
"...The only person I want to walk with is you, Lydia."
"...Does that mean you want me to be the knight's housekeeper?"
"That's not all it means..."
"If I become the knight's housekeeper, I won't be able to cook for Sir Ciel, Saintwise, and the guests, so that's a no."
"Do you like Ciel?"
"Yes! We're friends."
"Then, if I win the mushroom picking contest, will you be my friend too?"
"Um... is friendship something that comes with conditions like that...?"
I shook my head.
Mr. Lucian isn't a friend.
But, I wonder if Mr. Lucian would want to be friends.
We've known each other since he helped me 6 months ago, but it doesn't feel very friend-like.
It might be because I've lived my life thinking that all men should just disappear.
"...But I never thought the day would come when Lydia would encourage me. I've watched you for 6 months. You've been crying and getting angry while cooking. And all this time, you've been getting to know Ciel and Sir Roxas and getting back on your feet... I couldn't do anything."
"W-well, that's not true. Mr. Lucian came to my restaurant, so more customers came, including Sir Ciel and Sir Roxas. Even though I got kidnapped."
"You really do get kidnapped a lot, Lydia."
"Yeah... for some reason..."
"I think you're so cute that I'd want to kidnap you myself."
"Mr. Lucian... friends don't say things like that..."
I glared at Mr. Lucian.
Even if he wins the mushroom picking contest, I'm not sure if I can become friends with Mr. Lucian.
Can I really be friends with someone who wants to kidnap me?
And what would be the point of kidnapping me anyway?
To force me to be the housekeeper for the knight's group, maybe?
I'm not sure if Sir Ciel would get angry, but Mr. Leavis probably would.
The people from Saintwise sometimes come to eat and bring me snacks too.
The other day, they gave me a small squirrel plushie saying it was inspired by me. It's so cute that I have it displayed in my room.
"Um... is it okay if we start the contest soon? I'm sorry to interrupt while things are so lively..."
The host of the mushroom picking contest comes over to talk to us.
I was just talking to Mr. Lucian, so it wasn't really exciting.
But I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
The older folks were looking at me with warm smiles, while the young women and men were giving me intense looks I couldn't quite describe.
I took a step away from Mr. Lucian.
"It's fine, go ahead. I got carried away because I was with the woman I like. Sorry if I bothered you."
When Mr. Lucian apologized, the host lady's face turned bright red.
I shot Mr. Lucian a half-hearted glare.
I was worried about Mr. Lucian not feeling well, but now I felt like it would be better if he just disappeared.
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